Middle East Airlines (MEA) of Lebanon has placed an order with Airbus for six A321s, becoming a new customer of the vehicle. The order confirms an announcement by the airline earlier this year, when it said that it would acquire A321s as part of a fleet modernization that is the last part of its re-structuring plan.

MEA will take delivery of five A321s between January and May 2003, and a sixth in early 2004. The aircraft will be powered by International Aero Engines V2533s, which feature quietness that meets tough new Stage 4 noise standards.

MEA's A321s feature luxury seating for 31 passengers in business class and 118 in economy, with personal televisions for everyone. MEA already flies an all-Airbus fleet comprising A320s and A321s, as well as A300s and A310s, on non-stop routes to Europe - as well as within the Middle East and to Africa.

The newly ordered A321s replace leased A320s, A321s and A310s in the MEA fleet. They will be complemented by three leased A330-200s, all of which will be delivered in the second quarter of 2003, which will replace leased A300s and A310s.

Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the US, China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS. — (menareport.com)